PPM is this a fair process?

[TDK]

Please correct me if I am wrong!

The PPM is measured in percentage so in real terms a TOC that runs 100 services a day will get 100% PPM if all its trains run to the given timings, I think it's within 10 minutes, if one is late the TOC runs at 99%. However if a company such as WSMR who run 10 services a day has one train late it gets a PPM of only 90%. I believe all delays tribute to the PPM, so for instance, sheep on the line, bad signalling regulation, infrastructure failure etc. all counts although this is no fault of the TOC. In my opinion the PPM does not give a true performance measure for the TOC, is there a separate published performance measure for the TOC taking into account the attributed delays caused by that TOC? Maybe the PPM should show the amount of trains that arrive on time and the amount of services run, true, this is a pecentage but I think it is a fairer way of publishing the figures.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Never been a big understander of PPMs but if it is the case then how can it be fairer, They are there, supposedly, with the passenger in mind. If you got rid of all delays that weren't that companies fault you could have 99% classified as late or cancelled but a PPM of 100% which would be very misleading for everyone. In theory, Sheep shouldn't even be on the line, signals should work and be operated correctly and trains should be able to complete their journeys on time. I know reality is different, but if we ignore these problems they will never go away.

 

[The Planner]

For most TOCs its within 5 mniutes, the long distance ones such as VWC, XC, FGW etc, etc... get the 10 minutes rule.

 

[O L Leigh]

What annoys me is the effect that the PPM measure has on the running of trains. I understand that there has to be some way of measuring and attributing poor performance, but I think that there must be some better system out there somewhere.

O L Leigh

 

[TDK]

Never been a big understander of PPMs but if it is the case then how can it be fairer, They are there, supposedly, with the passenger in mind. If you got rid of all delays that weren't that companies fault you could have 99% classified as late or cancelled but a PPM of 100% which would be very misleading for everyone. In theory, Sheep shouldn't even be on the line, signals should work and be operated correctly and trains should be able to complete their journeys on time. I know reality is different, but if we ignore these problems they will never go away.

If thats's the case why do the TOC get an individual PPM percentage? It should be network wide or done over the route, for instance if there was a major problem such as Gerrards Cross which no doubt crucified Chilterns PPM (no fault of the Company) why should it be displayed as a poor PPM with Chiltern? There was a bridge bash at Wem a couple of years ago that didn't do ATW any favours once again not the fault of the TOC but when reading the PPM for Arriva it seemed that the TOC's performance was p*ss poor. I do feel it is grossly unfair to all the TOC's as it their figures that are affected. Agreed things like sheep on the line, poor rail adhesion and other conditions should all be published but why does the TOC get the blame?

 

[Metroland]

The real problem with breakdown of delay; into for example vandalism, train failure, TSRs, weather, is good staff and management can minimise the delay.

It's not always quite as simple as if a train fails then all the minutes of delay are the TOC's fault! Railways are interconnected, TOCs do not work in islolation.

So, the reason everything is bunched together is to show the overall picture to the end user. An indication on just how reliable X TOC is 'in practice'. I agree, it's not always completely fair, indeed, much of First Great Western's problems are down to Network Rail.

 

[The Planner]

. I agree, it's not always completely fair, indeed, much of First Great Western's problems are down to Network Rail.

You are joking ?? FGW are a complete bunch of jokers when it comes to train planning. They change their mind as to what they want every other week. Their despatch staff need sorting too, Ive yet to see a HST meet its dwell time at a station.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

There are issues with the assembly and publication of the information which should be addressed, but surely the actual information gathered would be the same?